After rounding the first buoy I booked it over to the first floating lifeguard station I could get my hands on. My friend Molly was close behind me. By this time, I had developed a lovely stitch in my side. Molly tried to help me stretch while holding onto the surfboard.

No really, that's what the swimming-in-the-water lifeguards are called.

She let me grab onto a piece of noodle and kick along with her while she chatted with me to make sure she did not just sign up to become the Titanic. I gotta say though, it's tough to exchange banter with lock jaw (seriously, if you haven't seen me with a plummeting body temperature, it's a sight to behold).

While this method literally kept me from drowning (no hyperbole here), it had to be the longest way to "swim" through the water. In fact, I'm pretty sure they had to truck in a second glacier to keep that water nice and *refreshing* just for li'l ol' me.

Much to my surprise, we finally made it to shore. I walked out to see Dave upfront and centre with the trusty camera to record this spectacular pathetic moment for posterity. The following are based on actual pictures he took of the end of my swim:

Coming out of the water:

Being approached by a concerned fellow racer (and total stranger):

Falling out of the frame:

Dontcha love rapid fire cameras?

There are no more actual photos of me, but I remember being *really* drawn to the uh, lush and inviting patch of grass right in front of Dave, which is where I was headed during that last picture,

and deciding to sit down for "just a minute" to regain my strength for the bike.

12 comments:

So...I don't mean to laugh at your hypothermia, but...hahahahahahaha. Okay, so I guess I DO mean to laugh. Julie, that sounds TERRIBLE! Just wretched and I can't believe that you champ through this shit. Can't wait to hear what happened next!

Andrea-if you can't laugh at this then why do it at all? (j/k) I wasn't necessarily laughing the next day, but time has passed and I can see how ridiculous it was :)

Meg-it absolutely could have been worse! I remember hearing the medics' walkie talkies, and they were getting a girl who had broken her collarbone...another medic was saying "they said she rode over the side of the road and we can't find her anywhere!!"

dear tri girl, I've been waiting oh so patiently for your next post. I've lost my patience now lol...is it ready yet? hehe, I'm just teasing, but I am ready for another one of your great cartoon stories :)

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Welcome!!

Join me on my athletic misadventures as I plunge into the world of triathlon and marathon training. I have never been proficient in swimming, biking or running, but I decided--pretty much on a whim (and a little peer pressure)--to give it a go. Check out my About Me page to learn more!